Programme Fact File
Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology
accredited until
Master of International Relations and Diplomacy
1 RSU-subsidised
19 full fee
The Master’s programme in International Relations and Diplomacy combines academic depth with practical skills essential for understanding and shaping global politics. For over fifteen years, the programme has been preparing leaders capable of analysing, anticipating, and influencing international developments.
Our teaching staff includes distinguished academics, experienced diplomats, and international guest lecturers from partner universities around the world. Together, they bring a wide range of perspectives and first-hand insights into global political dynamics and diplomatic practice.
The programme is designed with flexibility in mind: classes are usually held on Thursday and/or Friday evenings and Saturdays, allowing students to balance their studies with professional or personal commitments. Guest lectures are scheduled flexibly, adapting to the availability of experts from Latvia and abroad. For international students, this schedule provides an excellent opportunity not only to focus intensively on their academic progress but also to engage in a variety of extracurricular activities offered by the university and to participate in cultural, social, and professional events organised by different institutions and organisations across Latvia.
The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of contemporary issues in international relations and diplomacy, combining theoretical foundations with hands-on, practice-oriented learning.
In the first year, students explore the major themes and challenges of global affairs, including:
- Information Warfare and Propaganda — digital influence and strategic communication
- Power, War and Diplomacy — tools of influence and their interaction in world politics
- Theories of International Relations and Diplomacy — analytical frameworks for global analysis
- Global Governance: Institutions and Processes — international decision-making structures
- International and Diplomatic Law — systems of norms, treaties, and applied practice
In the second year, students focus on specialization and research:
- Digital Diplomacy and Social Media — the strategic role of communication technologies in diplomacy
- Energy, Security and Diplomacy — energy’s impact on global power distribution
- Security Governance Across Regions — challenges within and beyond the Euro-Atlantic space
- Research Design and Master’s Thesis — methodology, academic writing, and thesis defense preparation
- Syllabus
4. semester Category Course code Course title Structural unit Course supervisor ECTS A SZF_207 Development, Pre-Defense and Defense of Master’s Thesis Faculty of Social Sciences Lelde Metla-Rozentāle 27 B SZF_209 Research Impact and Communication Faculty of Social Sciences Ieva Puzo 3
The programme offers two study tracks — Latvian and English — creating a bilingual academic environment and ensuring that students can develop the linguistic and intercultural skills crucial for international careers.
Students enrolled in the English-taught track follow the entire study process in English — including lectures, seminars, assignments, research, and the Master’s thesis, which is defended before an international examination committee. The diploma therefore attests not only to the student’s academic achievement but also to their high-level English proficiency and proven ability to operate effectively in an international professional environment.
In the first semester of the second year, students may also participate in Erasmus+ exchange studies at RSU partner universities across Europe and beyond, gaining further international exposure.
Learning Methods
The programme integrates a diverse range of teaching methods that combine academic rigour with interactive and experiential learning. Traditional lectures and seminars are complemented by innovative approaches such as:
- Interactive discussions and case studies
- Simulation and role-playing exercises
- Debates and team-based projects inspired by real-world scenarios
- Hybrid and blended learning, combining in-person and online formats
- Use of digital tools including H5P, Miro, virtual environments, and interactive materials
- Guest lectures and seminars with foreign experts
- Reflection sessions where students and lecturers jointly evaluate progress and learning outcomes
This dynamic and student-centred approach ensures that learning is engaging, practice-oriented, and aligned with the demands of modern diplomacy and international relations.
Study Venues
- Faculty of Social Sciences at 9c Kuldīgas iela
- RSU Main Building at 16 Dzirciema iela
Global Career Opportunities
Choosing the Master’s programme in International Relations and Diplomacy means more than earning a degree — it means launching your path toward an international career. Studying in a multicultural and multilingual environment, you will meet peers from across the globe and start building a valuable international network from day one.
Our graduates successfully pursue careers in diverse sectors, including:
- Diplomacy and Foreign Service — positions in ministries of foreign affairs, embassies, consulates, and international missions in Latvia or abroad.
- International Organisations and Institutions — opportunities within the United Nations, the European Union, regional agencies, NGOs, and think tanks.
- Research, Policy, and Academia — analytical, consulting, and teaching roles in universities, research centres, and policy institutes worldwide.
- Global Business and Strategic Consulting — professional engagement in multinational corporations, consulting firms, and global projects, where diplomatic and cross-cultural expertise are highly valued.
Graduates of the English-taught programme stand out for their ability to work confidently in international settings, communicate across cultures, and apply academic knowledge to real-world challenges.
If you aspire to understand how global decisions are made, represent your country abroad, and play a role in shaping tomorrow’s diplomacy — this programme is your gateway to a global career and a meaningful impact on the world.
Admission Requirements
- Mandatory requirements
- A first-cycle (Bachelor’s) degree in one of the following social or humanities disciplines: political science, economics and business, sociology and social work, law, social and economic geography, media and communication, military science, history and philosophy, ethics, or religion
- An entrance examination, which includes an essay on the proposed Master’s thesis topic and a motivation letter written by the applicant
- For studies conducted in English – English language proficiency at least at the B2 level (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
- Documents to be submitted
The application must be completed in the Admission System at https://uznemsana.rsu.lv and the following document files must be attached:
- Passport (data page) or national ID card (eID) – both sides;
- Photograph (for the student ID card);
- First-cycle (Bachelor’s) diploma and diploma supplement;
- Proof of payment for the application registration fee;
- Document certifying English language proficiency at a level equivalent to at least B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (for studies conducted in English);
- Essay on the proposed Master’s thesis topic;
- Motivation letter;
- If any of the submitted documents contain a different name, surname and/or personal identification number than the one in the passport, a document confirming the change of personal data must also be attached;
- If the applicant has obtained an educational qualification or academic degree abroad (except in Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, or the Netherlands), the application must include a statement from the Academic Information Centre (AIC) confirming the equivalence of the foreign qualification or degree to a corresponding education level or degree awarded in Latvia.
- Evaluation criteria
Applicants to the Master’s programme in International Relations and Diplomacy are admitted based on the results of a competitive selection process, which consists of:
- The weighted average grade indicated in the Bachelor’s diploma, or, if not specified, the average grade of the diploma;
- The evaluation of the essay on the proposed Master’s thesis topic;
- The evaluation of the applicant’s motivation letter.
In the case of equal overall scores, the weighted average grade of the previous education diploma serves as the determining criterion.
Head of Programme
Acting Researcher, Faculty of Social Sciences
Academic Staff, Faculty of Social Sciences
Working hours:
By appointment (e-mail).
